» X Factor

In a desperate bid to ensure next year's X Factor winner gets a No 1 single, the show may be staged a week earlier so the victor can avoid battling for the top spot at Christmas.

According to The Sun, Simon Cowell believes a similar campaign to the one that saw Rage Against The Machine hit the top of the charts will be organised next year too.

X Factor judge Cheryl Cole slammed Rage Against The Machine for battling against Joe McElderry for the top spot last week, calling it "mean".

Having successfully completed another series of The X Factor in the UK, Simon Cowell's plans to take the format to the US seem inevitable.

But according to The Times, it could well be at the expense of his current commitment to American Idol.

Simon is reportedly contemplating leaving his position as judge on the US show after next season in order to switch his attentions to the launch of The X Factor.

Joe McElderry has been crowned winner of The X Factor 2009.

Joe belted out versions of Dancing With My Father and Sorry Seems To Be The Hardest Word - and then sang Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me with George Michael to become this year's winner.

He beat Olly Murs, who came second, and Stacey Solomon to the title.

Joe and Olly both sang the winner's single The Climb (a version of the Miley Cyrus hit) in the results show on Sunday - and Joe's version is now available for download.

X Factor judge Dannii Minogue says that she still has no idea why she was asked to move seats during this year's series.

Speaking to heat magazine, she said: "I still have no idea why I was told to change seats. I was told four different reasons by four different people, who all said it was the other person's decision."

And she added: "I like watching people play 'pass the buck'. I actually thought I might be judging from the side of the stage at one point."

It was one of the closest-run finishes in X Factor history.

Catch up on all the action with our highlights in pictures gallery...

Stacey Solomon has become the latest contestant to leave the X Factor in a nail-biting finish.

When Dermot announced the results, 'Dagenham-Stace' said: "I'm really proud I came third!"

She added: "I've had the time of my life. Thanks to everyone for keeping me in to the final."

Mentor Dannii Minogue said: "I've made an amazing friend. Thank you to everyone who supported her from day one. She's an absolute talent and a star."

Olly Murs and Joe McElderry will now battle it out in tomorrow's final - we can't wait!

Do you think the right act left tonight? Leave a comment below...

Tensions are rising as this year's X Factor final looms and all the talk this week is of Olly, Stacey and Joe's chances for a Christmas number one.

And as the finalists prepare for the big showdown, AOL readers have been voting for their favourite... and Stacey is leading the way.

The heat is on for the last three X Factor hopefuls as the final approaches.

Stacey Solomon, Joe McElderry and Olly Murs will battle it out this weekend to win the ITV1 show after surviving two months of live performances every week.

Their new-found celebrity status has seen the trio splashed in the press and greeted by crowds of fans and photographers wherever they go.

But it remains to be seen if the brush with fame will last as the singers attempt to emulate the chart-topping success of the likes of former X Factor winner Leona Lewis.

As if things weren't nerve-wracking enough for the three finalists, X Factor bosses have today announced that one will leave the show on Saturday.

On the first day of this year's grand final, Stacey, Olly and Joe will be performing duets with Michael Buble, Robbie Williams and George Michael respectively.

With the likes of Mariah Carey and Lady Gaga having already performed on the X Factor stage, the final was always going to be a star-studded affair.

So as hopefuls Olly, Joe and Stacey take to the stage for their final performances, they will be joined by some big names as they sing for the winner's spot.

Returning to the stage following a somewhat shaky comeback, will be Robbie Williams who is set to join the crowd-pleasing Olly.